Weekly update, 15th August

How are we all doing? Missing summer? We sure are! Not that a bit of cloud or rain ever stopped us... The vast majority of organised volunteering and activities go ahead whatever the weather so stick an extra layer on and come try something new!

Why have I started this post with a picture of an adorable pup you ask? Scroll down to the 'Coming up' section to find out!

Hannah
Volunteering Development Manager

What the volunteers have been up to:

Thursday Group (normally Abingdon), 10th August

Last week the team took a break from the Abingdon reserves and headed to Mowbray Fields in Didcot to give the meadow a summer cut. Grassland management is important to help maintain conditions for all the wildflowers, including orchids, that grow here. The next session is 24th August.

Friday Group (Little Wittenham), 11th August

It was the last of the weed control sessions for the group last week. They were working on Bushey Bank pulling thistles ahead of it being cut for hay. Bushey Bank is an area of chalk grassland that benefitted from the UK's first formal biodiversity offsetting agreement. The next session is 18th August.

Sunday Group (Little Wittenham), 13th August

This month the group were working over at the North Farm part of our site. They were removing an old electric fence and clearing the fence line in one of the fields, in preparation for a new fence being installed. This is the last field on the Earth Trust Farm without a permanent stockproof fence so once the new fence goes up it will be able to be safely grazed. The next session is 10th September.  

Coming up...

Calling all responsible dog walkers!

Do you use any of our sites to walk your four-legged friend? Perhaps you come regularly to enjoy the space and natural settings while getting your canine companian exercised and thoroughly worn out? You could be perfect to help shape our proposed Earth Trust Good Dog Walking scheme. The aim would be for Earth Trust Good Dog Walkers to be identifiable (with a badge or similar) when out walking their dog, and for them simply to model to others what responsible dog walking looks like and to answer questions from others who might be interested in finding out more. The hope is that we can create a positive culture of responsible dog walking across our sites by setting an example of how it's done.

We’d like to consult with some dog walkers about our proposals before launching a pilot scheme: 7.30pm on Thursday 17th August. If you’d be willing to spend an hour or so of your time helping to shape our Good Dog Walker scheme please contact Clare Sulston or 01865 409404. If you can’t make the meeting but would still be interested in being part of the scheme please still get in touch, and do share the information with any of your friends or relatives who are regular visitors.